Destinations: Istanbul, Paris, Sofia, Belgrade, Champagne, Vienna, Postojna
Destinations: Paris, Sofia, Belgrade, Vienna, Champagne, Istanbul, Postojna
Evoke the Golden Age of European rail travel as you follow the historic route of the Orient Express from Paris to Istanbul aboard the ultra-luxurious Golden Eagle Danube Express. Sit back and watch as fruitful Champagne vineyards and astounding alpine vistas roll gradually unto rugged Balkan beauty. Then, greet the millennia-old streets of Sofia and Istanbul’s breathtaking Blue Mosque at the edge of the European continent. Along the way, get to know each locale with guided city tours and attend exclusive musical performances, like a private concert with the Vienna Supreme Orchestra and a haunting chorus of the ‘Cosmic Voices’ in a Bulgarian crypt.
With a dedicated cabin attendant and all-inclusive dining and drinks, your travels are the perfect blend of sophisticated comfort and flavourful adventure, as along the way you feast on traditional Serbian cuisine, master the secrets of confectionary, taste Serbia’s renowned ‘rakija’ fruit brandy and sample Champagne straight from the source. Top things off with a showstopping gala dinner crafted by Golden Eagle’s head chef, welcome and farewell receptions and two lavish stays to bookmark your journey in Istanbul and Paris. Board this once-in-a-lifetime old-world hotel on rails, and discover a journey of opulent appearances where the impossible is always possible.
Superior Upgrade: Heighten the indulgence when you upgrade to a Superior Deluxe Cabin aboard the Danube Express, enjoying a luxurious UK king bed, additional daytime seating, a sizeable double wardrobe and more space to breathe.
Istanbul to Paris: This tour runs a reverse itinerary from Istanbul to Paris on different dates. Please choose your package carefully.
Destinations: Istanbul, Paris, Sofia, Belgrade, Champagne, Vienna, Postojna
Destinations: Paris, Sofia, Belgrade, Vienna, Champagne, Istanbul, Postojna
Bonjour, and welcome to marvellous Paris! The ‘City of Light’ is as much renowned for its arts and history as it is for its uniquely French street-life and romantic ambiance.
Today, you’ll be met by a Golden Eagle representattive upon arrival at Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) and transferred to your centrally located hotel for a sophisticated stay as you start your journey. Spend the rest of your afternoon exploring or making the most of your elegant amenities, then join your fellow travellers for a resplendent welcome dinner to mark the beginning of an unforgettable adventure.
Greet the morning with an energising breakfast at your hotel, then take your transfer to Gare de Lyon Station. Here, a Champagne reception awaits – the perfect start to your rail adventure. Step aboard your luxury train, the Golden Eagle Danube Express, and watch as painterly Paris fades into picturesque countryside.
This hotel-on-wheels offers new heights of luxury – each spacious, boutique cabin on board offers private ensuite facilities, a cosy living area and full picture windows to help frame your view along the route famously covered by the Orient Express, once upon a time. With an elegant dining car and a bar car that doesn’t close until the last patron leaves, your journey aboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express is sure to evoke this historical rail journey.
Settle into your well-appointed cabin and say hello to fellow travellers in the bar car while the train carries you to the centre of the celebrated Champagne region itself. Famed for its sparkling wine production, this renowned terroir is home to numerous lauded Champagne houses. On a visit covering carefully manicured vineyards and medieval cathedrals, Champagne takes you into the historic roots of French culture.
Back aboard the Danube Express, sit down to a sumptuous Golden Eagle welcome dinner as you continue to roll eastward.
Indulge in majestic Alpine views as you spend the day travelling through peaceful Switzerland. Choose to soak up the refined atmosphere and smooth piano stylings of the bar car, or recline in your cabin’s own spacious privacy where your attendant is ready to make your journey as exceptional as possible.
As dusk settles, arrive in magical Vienna and disembark to discover the city’s myriad delights. A vivid metropolis filled with palaces, coffee houses, music and opera halls, Austria’s capital draws millions of visitors every year for its tremendous historical significance – the city was home to Beethoven, Mozart and Sigmund Freud, among others.
This evening, familiarise yourself with Viennese cuisine at a special dinner, then replenish the soul with a private classical concert featuring the Vienna Supreme Orchestra – an unparalleled look at Austria’s musical heritage.
Delve further into Vienna’s treasure trove of cultural sights this morning, embracing the intricate architecture and fantastical history found on every corner.
Back aboard the Danube Express, join Golden Eagle’s head pastry chef for a confectionary masterclass. Get hands-on with delicious desserts and learn the secrets of crafting them as you depart from the city where so very many beloved pastries were conceived.
Tonight, arrive in Slovenia and step out for a glimpse of the country’s astounding natural beauty. Take a subterranean train ride to discover the underground wonder of the Postojna Caves on a guided tour. Shaped over millions of years, the cave system is home to brilliant flowstone stalagmites around every corner and a diverse array of fauna, including the mysterious aquatic salamander. The dulcet tones of a distant saxophone accompany your journey to the centre of the caves, reverberating off the many-faceted cavern walls with haunting beauty.
Pull into the station this morning and alight in Belgrade, Serbia’s proud capital. Strategically positioned at the confluence of the Danube and Sava Rivers, Belgrade is a thriving city built on millennia of fortifications dating back to the Celtic invasion of the 3rd century BCE.
Spend your day exploring the city’s plentiful historic sights with expert guidance, starting with a visit to Tito’s Blue Train, once the luxury train of Yugoslavia’s controversial former leader Tito. Continue to a traditional Serbian lunchtime feast at Klub Knjizevnika, where the flavours of Belgrade burst boldly forth, then visit the city’s oldest rakija brewery for a special tasting of this unique Balkan fruit brandy.
Spend your afternoon wandering storied streets past Belgrade Town Hall, through Republic Square and along the bustling Knez Mihailova shopping street, uncovering a marvellous blend of medieval and modern architecture.
Later, return to your own Old World residence aboard the Danube Express for a grand gala dinner, presented on board by Golden Eagle’s Head Chef Ramon Batta. Through each meticulously crafted dish, Batta combines carefully selected local ingredients and curated regional flavours to tell a story through flavour, offering an unmissable voyage for the senses.
Wake to a morning of leisure aboard the Danube Express. Welcome the day with Golden Eagle’s superlative service and spend some time relaxing in the bar car, ahead of this afternoon’s exciting itinerary.
Once it’s time to alight, prepare to embrace the architectural wonders of Sofia, Bulgaria’s easy-going capital. Step back in time as you tour the Roman ruins of Serdica, then stroll through the idyllic City Garden to commanding Ivan Vazov National Theatre. Visit the Presidential Palace, then stand in awe of the beautifully domed Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.
Here, you’ll descend into the Crypt Museum for a once-in-a-lifetime concert by the phenomenal ‘Cosmic Voices’ female folk choir. In the sonic embrace of these masterful vocalists, the cathedral’s hallowed depths take on new and nuanced wonder, bringing home the transcendental power of music.
Today, you’ll bid farewell to the hospitable crew aboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express as you disembark in Turkiye. A city born of both European and Asian influences, Istanbul’s ancient wonders and spellbinding architecture are not to be missed.
After checking into your accommodation for the night, spend your day freely uncovering the city’s most mesmerising sights. Start with the crowning jewel of the elaborate Topkapi Palace, former residence of the sultans of the Ottoman Empire, where you can weave through expansive grounds and walk the ornately designed halls, then look out over the Golden Horn. For those seeking adventure, lose yourself in the joyous jumble of over 4,000 shopfronts at the Grand Bazaar – one of the largest covered markets in the world.
Gaze in awe upon the grandeur of the Blue Mosque, study the structure of its six soaring minarets and take a moment to appreciate the masterful Ottoman architecture. With some 260 windows illuminating its astounding central chamber, the Blue Mosque is a grand beauty no matter your vantage point. Then perhaps find your way to another of the city’s most prized sites, the magnificent Hagia Sophia. This humbling 6th-century Byzantine mosque was once one of the largest basilicas in the Christian world. Today, this mammoth is still recognised for its breathtaking architectural beauty.
Tonight, rejoin your fellow adventurers for one last grand farewell dinner along the banks of the Bosphorus Strait, toasting to a voyage for the ages.
Following breakfast at your hotel, say a final goodbye to your fellow travellers before you’re transferred to Istanbul Airport (IST) for your onward travel.
This hotel-on-wheels offers new heights of luxury – with spacious, boutique cabins on board, each offering private ensuite facilities, a cosy living area and full picture windows so you can take in every moment of your journey across the traditional route of the Orient Express. With an elegant dining car and a bar car that doesn’t close until the last patron leaves, a journey across Europe onboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express is unlike anything else in the world. Exclusive, extravagant and oh-so-chic, it’s the perfect host to your journey-of-a-lifetime, exploring the very best of France, Austria, Serbia and beyond.
In the subterranean stillness of Postojna Caves, Slovenia’s natural splendour transforms into something altogether magical. Taking your scenic train ride through this 24-kilometre-long cave system, you’ll discover underground wonders shaped over millions of years by the flowing waters of the Pivka River, accompanied by the reverberant beauty of a skilled saxophonist.
Deep beneath the earth, these cavernous halls are home to astounding flowstone stalagmites, formed by calcium carbonate-rich waters, and a mysterious array of fauna, including the elusive olm – an endemic blind salamander known for its 100-year lifespan and ability to live 14 years without food. Follow along as your knowledgeable tour guide sheds light on the innumerable curiosities contained in these ancient caves.
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Golden Eagle Danube Express Cabins
Pre- & Post-Tour Accommodation Pre- and post-tour accommodation can be booked to extend your stay before or after your tour by contacting our Tours Concierge Team at tours@luxuryescapes.com.
Luxury Escapes uses a range of accommodation partners. For pre- and post-tour accommodation options where we can offer the same hotel as the start and end of your tour, your pre- and post-tour accommodation will be booked independent of your tour. If the hotel for your tour changes, this will be independent of your pre- or post-tour accommodation booking. In this instance, change fees may apply on your pre- or post-tour accommodation. If you choose to change, change fees can be found in your ‘My Escapes’.
For pre- and post-tour accommodation bookings, you may be required to check out of your room and check in again on the first or last day of your tour. You will need to confirm these details directly with the hotel.
Please contact the Tours Concierge Team at tours@luxuryescapes.com for further information.
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This tour runs a reverse itinerary from Istanbul to Paris on different dates. Please choose your package carefully.
Your tour either begins at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) and ends at Istanbul Airport (IST), with roundtrip airport transfers, or begins at Istanbul Airport (IST) and ends at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), with roundtrip airport transfers.
Roundtrip flights are not included in your package and must be purchased separately. If your chosen tour departure date is guaranteed at the time of booking, you may be able to purchase flights immediately. If your tour departure date is not yet guaranteed (still pending minimum numbers), flights should not be booked until you receive an update on the status of your tour.
If travelling from Paris to Istanbul, please book your flights to arrive at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) at any time on Day 1 and depart from Istanbul Airport (IST) at any time on Day 8. If travelling from Istanbul to Paris, please book your flights to arrive at Istanbul Airport (IST) at any time on Day 1 and depart from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) at any time on Day 8.
Arrival and departure transfers are included in your package and will be provided as needed.
Important: Please allow for travelling time from international countries. International flights are not included in your package and must be purchased separately. It is your responsibility to make your own travel arrangements and ensure that you arrive at your starting location on your chosen tour start date.
A visa may be required for the destination you are visiting. It is each traveller’s responsibility to ensure they are holding a current visa. Please take the time to visit our preferred vendor website, Visas Direct, to assist you with any visa application requirements and processes. If you require any supporting documentation when applying for your visa, please let us know and we will be more than happy to assist. Click here to visit the website.
Need flights? Our dedicated flights concierge can assist with all your flight requirements (subject to availability). Contact sales@luxuryescapes.com.
Important Destination Information:
France
Time zone: GMT+1 (Central European Time)
Telephone: +33
Currency: Euro
Accessing money: ATMs are available with credit cards accepted throughout the country.
Language: French
Climate: Cool winters and mild summers, except along the Mediterranean Sea where it’s much warmer year-round.
Austria
Time zone: GMT+1 (Central European Time)
Telephone: +43
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Accessing money: ATMs are widely available with credit cards widely accepted within the city.
Language: German
Climate: Austria experiences temperate and alpine climates with generally cold winters (Dec-Feb) and warm summers (Jun-Aug).
Slovenia
Time zone: GMT+1 (Central European Time)
Telephone: +386
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Accessing money: ATMs are widely available with credit cards widely accepted within the city. Cash is advised when visiting rural areas. Most institutions will exchange money for you.
Language: Slovene
Climate: Three different climates. Expect a Mediterranean climate on the coast, characterised by hot, dry summers (June-September) and mild, rainy winters (December-March). Central and northern Slovenia have a continental climate with cool-to-warm summers and cold winters that can reach below 0°C.
Dress code: Relaxed but respectful, especially when visiting religious institutions.
Serbia
Time zone: GMT+1 (Central European Time)
Telephone: +381
Currency: Serbian Dinar (RSD)
Accessing money: ATMs are widely available with credit cards widely accepted within the city.
Language: Serbian
Climate: Serbia has a continental northern climate, where you can expect cold, dry winters (Dec-Feb) and warm, humid summers (Jun-Aug). The south has a more Mediterranean climate, with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers.
Dress code: Relaxed but respectful, especially when visiting religious institutions.
Bulgaria
Time zone: GMT+3
Telephone: +359
Currency: Bulgarian lev (BGN)
Accessing money: ATMs are widely available with credit cards widely accepted within the cities and towns. Cash is advised when visiting rural areas.
Language: Bulgarian
Climate: Bulgaria is extremely seasonal. In the high season – June to August – temperatures range from 20-25°C, with temperatures often reaching beneath zero in winter.
Turkiye
Time zone: GMT+3
Telephone: +90
Currency: Turkish Lira
Accessing money: ATMs are widely available with credit cards widely accepted within the city. Cash is advised when visiting rural areas.
Language: Turkish
Climate: Cold, snowy winters (December-March) and hot, dry summers (June, July and August), though nights remain cool.
Dress code: Relaxed but respectful, especially when visiting religious institutions.